There is some irony in the popular portrayal of Batman as a loner. While somewhat aloof, the Dark Knight of the comics knows the value of teamwork. Indeed, the young heroes he mentors form one of the most extensive support networks in all of comics. Nightwing #112 by Tom Taylor and Sami Basri examines this point and how Bruce Wayne advises the next generation of heroes.
Picking up where the previous issue left off, Nightwing #112 finds Dick Grayson and his mentor racing to save a missing child. They determine that the boy’s parents were murdered, so that his uncle could claim control of the family fortune. This leaves them racing against time to cut off the uncle’s escape. This leads Batman and Nightwing to approach the Titans, to borrow an experimental jet.
As Nightwing and Cyborg prepare the jet, a nervous Beast Boy approaches Batman. He asks how the Dark Knight copes with the fear of people he is trying to help. This has become an issue for Beast Boy in recent months, with civilians fearing him in the wake of the Titans: Beast World event. It is also a fair question, given Bruce Wayne’s acknowledgement that Dick Grayson is better at being comforting than he is.
Batman Advises Beast Boy on Being a Hero
Thankfully, Batman does not take offense to Beast Boy’s query as to how he is “used to being hated.” After confirming that Beast Boy is less concerned with popularity than helping people, the Dark Knight offers his opinion. “Anyone with an ounce of sense or logic can see that you’re a hero,” he says. “You saved everyone on the planet, Garfield Logan. Nothing else matters.”
The brief scene speaks volumes as to the sort of person Batman truly is. Even though he is occupied with an important case, he still spares a moment to lift-up a wounded warrior. It is also notable that he treats Beast Boy, a character usually portrayed as comic relief, as an equal and peer. Indeed, the Dark Knight’s internal dialogue throughout the issue portrays him as being in awe of what his protégé built with the Titans and his admiration of the young heroes.
Nightwing #112 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
